Chelsea agree Bakayoko fee

CHELSEA hope to complete the £35.1million signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko next week, but will face a battle to keep Nemanja Matic.

The Blues have agreed a deal in principle with Monaco for Bakayoko, who is Antonio Conte’s first-choice target to strengthen midfield.

Negotiations are set to continue over the weekend and personal terms have to be finalised.

But no complications are expected, with Chelsea prepared to offer the France international a five-year contract and a medical is planned for next week.

Bakayoko’s arrival is likely to speed up the departure of unsettled Matic, who is a target for Manchester United

and Juventus. The Serbia international came close to leaving Stamford Bridge last summer, only for Conte to block a sale to Liverpool.

Matic’s form dipped in the second half of last season and he is believed to have become frustrated that the club did not offer to extend his deal, which has two years left to run.

Bakayoko has been earmarked to be the main partner for N’Golo Kante in midfield next term and Matic is prepared to move.

Despite that, Chelsea want at least £40m as Matic has helped them win the title twice in the past three seasons and any money they receive will help fund Conte’s spending plans.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are growing in confidence they will sign Juventus left-back Alex Sandro.

They have had a £52m bid rejected, while Juventus have also offered the Brazil international a new contract.

But comments this week from the Serie A club’s general manager, Beppe Marotta, who admitted they will not stand in Sandro’s way if he asks to go, have encouraged Chelsea that a deal can be struck. Chelsea have offered to double Sandro’s wages to £150,000 a week, a sum Juventus cannot match.